Germany hit back to hold Spain

Thomas Muller’s strike from distance was enough for Germany to secure a 1-1 draw with Spain at the ESPRIT Arena in Düsseldorf.

Rodrigo Moreno swept home Andres Iniesta's cross after six minutes but Germany hit back through Muller 10 minutes before the interval.

There were chances aplenty in the second period. David de Gea produced fine saves to deny Julian Draxler and Ilkay Gundogan while Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved from Isco meaning a thoroughly entertaining match finished level.

Spain played some sublime football in the opening exchanges, and unlocked Germany with a sublime pass from Andres Iniesta, which Rodrigo - starting up front with Diego Costa on the bench - swept home first time to score his second international goal. A timely strike with the World Cup less than three months away.

Germany couldn’t cope with Iniesta’s ingenuity and Isco’s fleet-footed skills, but got themselves back level out of nothing ten minutes before the break, with Muller slamming home from 25 yards to score his first Germany goal for a year.

Substitutes aplenty diluted the entertainment in the second half, but both sides had big chances to win it, with Mats Hummels coming closest for the hosts, and substitute Costa wasting a late chance for Spain. Nonetheless, as international friendlies go, the quality of the football on show far outweighed what most other nations can produce.

Two tournament favourites show different ways to be brilliant. Unbeaten in 21 games and 16 respectively coming into this contest, Germany and Spain were always going to cancel each other out in Dusseldorf. Spain produced their sublime passing game to dominate for large swathes of the first half, with Germany’s clinical instincts getting them back in it.

Germany couldn’t handle Spain’s slick play, while Spain struggled to pick up late arrivals in their penalty area. Both sides played to their strengths - something the majority of the footballing world won’t be able to nullify in three months time. On this evidence, either are capable of picking up another World Cup crown this summer.

Andres Iniesta. Even at 33, he Iniesta has still got it. How he sees some of the passes his picks out remains a mystery, but he continues to dazzle. The assist for Spain’s goal couldn’t have been more expertly executed - such defence-splitting efforts could steer Spain to success this summer.

Germany: Ter Stegen 6, Hector 7, Hummels 6, Khedira 6, Draxlber 5, Kroos 6, Ozil 6, Werner 5, Mueller 7, Boateng 7, Kimmich 6… Gundogan 6, Sane 6, Goretzka 6, Gomez 6.

Spain: De Gea 6, Carvajal 6, Pique 7, Ramos 7, Alba 6, Thiago 6, Koke 6, Iniesta 8, Silva 7, Isco 8, Rodrigo 7… Subs: Saul 6, Asensio, 6, Costa 6, Nacho 6, Vazquez 6, Rodri 6.

6’ - GOOOOOAL! Germany 0-1 Spain. Superb pass from Andres Iniesta through for Rodrigo Morena, who sweeps home to give the visitors the lead. When there is this much talent on show, all it takes is two touches to score. Super pass from Iniesta, Rodrigo timed his run to perfection, before rifling into the net first time. His second goal for Spain - a huge goal for him, proving he can lead the line.

19’ - CHANCE! Absolutely brilliant from Spain again. Isco takes it down on his chest, darts inside, feeds Silva, in the middle of the goal, but he elects to take a touch, which takes it too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the home goal, who smothers.

35’ - GOOOOAAALL! Germany 1-1 Spain. Mueller fires home his first international goal in a year from distance to level things up. Sami Khedira squared the ball for Mueller on the edge of the box, but there didn't seem much on. However, with next to no backlift, the Bayern Munich forward rifled the ball past De Gea from 25 yards to score his 38th international goal.

48’ - SAVE! What a stop from the Manchester United goalkeeper. Draxler unleashed a ferocious strike which was headed for the top corner, but De Gea flung out an arm to tip the ball wide.

56’ - SAVE! Breathtaking football from Spain. Alba feeds the ball across for Isco, who has to score from point-blank range , but Ter Stegen blocks well.

57’ - ANOTHER SAVE! Straight down the other end, Germany work the ball for Gundogan, who looks to guide it into the bottom corner, but De Gea is down brilliantly to tip the shot wide.

65' - CROSSBAR! Kroos clips a free-kick into the middle, Mats Hummels loops a header for goal, over De Gea, but the ball clips the top of the crossbar and goes over.

68' - CHANCE! Great cross from Asensio almost finds Costa on the stretch, Silva is on hand at the back post, but can only guide the ball into the side netting.

76' - BIG CHANCE! Carvajal charges down Hector's clearance, Costa is on hand to collect the loose ball, has time to pick his spot, but delays far too long and his tame strike is blocked.

Germany are unbeaten in 22 games (W16 D6); their second longest unbeaten run ever (23 games between October 1978 and December 1980).

Sergio Ramos has played his 150th game for Spain (113W, 19D, 18L), only Iker Casillas has more appearances (176).